Trained Nurses’ Fees

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 230, 24 June 1932, Page 13

Trained Nurses’ Fees

Sir, —The suggestion made by Mr. Wallace at the Hospital Boards’ conference that nurses should reduce their fees to 30/- or £2 a week, leads one to believe that he cannot have much knowledge of the conditions under which private nurses earn their living. In the first place, they have to undergo years of training before they can be regarded as qualified. Are those years to count for nothing, and the expense of the training to be disregarded? Secondly, there is a great deal of responsibility attached to nursing. Human Uvea are often at stake, and the average nurse in sole charge may consider herself lucky to get four hours’ sleep a night Her leisure time is practically nil. Thirdly, the fees from perhaps a fortnight’s nursing are all. that she has to carry her over weeks or even months of waiting for another position. There is no such thing as constant employment with private nurses. Ordinary domestics are paid 30/and £2 a week, sometimes more, and their duties are not nearly as onerous. What does it matter if a cook spoils a dinner? But no nurse dare introduce an element of neglect Into her service. I am sure that nurses’. If they had a prospect of reasonably constant employment, would willingly reduce their fees to £3/3/- or even £2/2/-. but below that, as matters are at present, they cannot possibly go. Another matter is the necessity of providing uniforms, which constitutes an expensive item. Perhaps Mr. Wallace will reconsider his views?—l am. etc., INDIGNANT NURSE. Wellington. June 20. . , ■ Sir,—As there has been much discus sion re trained nurses, and as I have had through illness considerable experience of nurses in private hospitals and also in my own home. I daresay I am qualified to give an opinion, which is. that in each, case I would, could I afford it. have doubled their fee. In the home the nurses insisted on doing all the work, as well as giving me devoted attention through a long day. and at night if required. Let anyone think seriously of the many duties a nurse has to perform, and then question their tee. As a matter of fact, the fee was left to me—they never Insisted on anv special amount. In private hospitals and homes the nurses have almost entire responsibility and usually a very anxious time. —I am. ete„ _. . A GRATEFUL PATTENT.